On October 10, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. The Court will consider whether its prior decisions interpreting the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, including Grutter v. Bollinger, permit the undergraduate school to consider race as one of several factors in its admissions process. The Fifth Circuit, in affirming the judgment of the District Court of the Western District of Texas, pointed out that a university may pursue the goal of a diverse student body as a compelling interest, and the educational benefits that flow therefrom, so long as the plan is narrowly tailored.

In consideration of efforts to improve diversity in the workplace, Pepper Hamilton is joining with GSEHD to host an educational seminar on this high profile case. Liliana M. Garces, Assistant Professor of Higher Education Administration, will speak about the Brief of American Social Science Researchers, a friend-of-the-court brief filed in support of the University. Professor Garces is the counsel of record for amici who include 444 scholars from 172 universities and research centers in 42 states. The brief presents a summary of the social science evidence that bears directly on whether the University's race-conscious admissions policy is narrowly tailored to satisfy strict scrutiny. She will discuss the issues the U.S. Supreme Court is considering in the case and how social science research findings can inform these determinations.

This program has been approved for 1.0 substantive CLE credits in Pennsylvania. Attorneys licensed in New Jersey may claim credit for this program under New Jersey's reciprocity policy. There is no cost to attend this event, but seating is limited.